ASUS Announces First Portable 15.6-Inch USB-C Display

ASUS today announced the first single-cable USB display that comes equipped with a USB Type-C port, allowing it to work with Apple's Retina MacBook and other USB-C machines. The MB196C+ portable display includes a 15.6-inch screen with a 1080p resolution.

The new monitor is the successor to the USB-powered ASUS' MB168B+, which came out two years ago. It features the same metallic finish and two-way adjustable stand, but according to Engadget, the display panel in the new model has been upgraded to IPS for improved colors and viewing angles.

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With the monitor's single USB-C cable, a Retina MacBook can power the display without the need for a second power cord. ASUS' MB169C+ is just 8.5mm thick and it weighs approximately 1.8 pounds, making it a good companion monitor for the ultra thin Retina MacBook.

ASUS hasn't shared details on availability or pricing, but its retail cost may be similar to the prior MB168B+, which retails for $200 to $300.

While the monitor sounds interesting and all, I'm concerned by this. What happens when the MacBook's battery dies? Does it have a power passthrough or anything?

--- Post Merged, Jan 5, 2016, Original Post Date: Jan 5, 2016 ---

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Agreed. I'd rather the monitor have the ability to charge the MacBook (like the desktop monitors announced yesterday). Plug the USB-C charging cable into the monitor, and the monitor into the USB-C port on the MacBook.

From what I can see in the pictures it does not have power passthru, so it does run off the Macbook's battery. Or you need some kind of USB-C hub to be able to hook up both the monitor and charger at the same time.

I was also surprised to see that for some reason they did not use a USB-C connector on the monitor itself, it has a USB 3.0 Micro-B port.

That'll go great with that double USB-C adapter to allow you to both use an external display and charge at the same time!

Oh wait.

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oh come on. it's a known fact you have to buy an adapter when you purchase a 2015 macbook if you want to use your peripherals and charge it, so this complaint is already old. get next years model if you really need one, it'll have 2 ports. otherwise, i don't even see the hassle in using a little hub - other than the fact it's an added expense. for people who entered into buying a product knowing it requires one.

This USB-C thing is so confusing. So you can send video/receive video/send power/receive power all on one cable, or are there multiple types of USB-C cables?

For example, if two devices both with batteries are connected to each other via USB-C, how would they decide which one will power the other?

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USB-C is a connector type. The most common connector type is Type-A. The connector on its own can't do anything. USB 3.1 is what you need to do everything all in one cable. What you need to buy is a cable that conforms to the USB 3.1 specification, and not all Type-C cables do. The connector type determines if you need an adapter to plug your devices in, but the specification is what determines what can be transmitted. It's actually a little more complicated than that as there are both USB 3.1 Rev 1 and Rev 2 specifications (different speeds), but let's ignore that for now, both can handle power and video.

oh come on. it's a known fact you have to buy an adapter when you purchase a 2015 macbook if you want to use your peripherals and charge it, so this complaint is already old. get next years model if you really need one, it'll have 2 ports. otherwise, i don't even see the hassle in using a little hub - other than the fact it's an added expense. for people who entered into buying a product knowing it requires one.

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I'm sure we can debate this to no end, it's still odd that I need to make this sort of choice: charge my laptop OR use an external screen. Why can't it be both simultaneously?

I'm sure we can debate this to no end, it's still odd that I need to make this sort of choice: charge my laptop OR use an external screen. Why can't it be both simultaneously?

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I agree. A device like this should have two USB-C ports on it so one could be hooked to the power supply and the other to the laptop so they both could get power from an AC outlet instead of relying on battery power.

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